Braised Red Cabbage & Apples

I picked up some Bratwurst from the Redl's Home Grown Beef stand at the market last week. When I think of Bratwurst, normally I think of a huge juicy hot dog. But it's a new day my friends. I'm going to Mexico in two months. I need to think about my "figure". Instead of brats on crusty rolls, slathered in condiments, I'm sticking with the German theme and cooking up a big pot of braised red cabbage.

Adapted from "A Cook's Bible: Gluten Free, Wheat Free & Dairy Free Recipes.

1 medium red cabbage, 1.5 - 2lbs - halved, cored and sliced thinly
3 large baking apples - peeled, cored and diced
1 medium onion, halved and sliced thin
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon ground allspice, divided
3 tablespoons honey*
salt & pepper to taste
3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
2 teaspoons butter*

1. Pre-heat oven to 300°F. Grease a large baking dish or dutch oven with butter.

2. Arrange half the shredded cabbage in the bottom of the dish. Top with half the apples, onion and garlic. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon allspice, 2 tablespoons honey and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Repeat process with a second layer using remaining ingredients.

3. Pour vinegar over top of everything. Dot small pieces of butter over top. Cover dish with a lid and bake in pre-heated oven for 2 hours, stirring every 30 minutes, until cabbage is tender. Remove from oven and serve with grilled or broiled bratwursts. (Mashed potatoes makes a great accompaniment too!)

*Sub out non-dairy margarine for butter and agave syrup for honey and you have a vegan side dish!*

This post is part of Fight Back Friday at Food Renegade.

Cornmeal Crusted Chicken Schnitzel

This recipe is adapted from Canadian Living. It's tough craving chicken strips while trying to avoid wheat and gluten... Until I found Glutino Gluten Free Bread Crumbs. Hallelujah! Then I read the ingredients: Milled corn, evaporated cane sugar and sea salt. What? I just paid how much for jazzed up corn meal?! If you don't have or can't find gluten free breadcrumbs, corn meal and a pinch of sea salt works just the same.

Schnitzel:
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 tbsp gluten free all purpose flour
1/8 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp seasoning salt
1 egg
1/3 cup gluten free bread crumbs
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped fine

Gravy:
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1 tbsp oil
1 clove of garlic, minced
1/4 cup chicken stock
splash lemon juice
2 tsp corn starch mixed with a bit of water

1. Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees F. and lightly grease a baking sheet.

2. Between sheets of waxed paper, using meat mallet, pound chicken to 1/4-inch thickness.

3. In shallow dish, mix together flour, salt, pepper and thyme. In separate shallow dish, whisk egg with 2 tbsp (25 mL) water. In third shallow dish, combine bread crumbs with half of the parsley.

4. Dip chicken into flour mixture to coat both sides. Dip into egg mixture, letting excess drip off. Dip into bread crumb mixture, patting to coat evenly. (Use Michael Smith's tip of using one hand for the wet bath and one hand for the dry bath. Save you from breading yourself.)

5. Place prepared chicken on greased baking sheet and put the sheet into the hot oven. Bake for 10-15 minutes, until appropriate internal temperature is reached and the crust is crispy and just turning golden brown.

6. While chicken is cooking, saute mushrooms with olive oil in a sauce pan. Cook until golden. Remove from heat and wait until chicken is cooked.

7. Once chicken is cooked through and the crust is crispy and browned, remove from baking sheet onto a plate and cover with foil. If there are any brown bits on the baking sheet, add a tablespoon or two of broth and scrape up the bits with a spatula. Add the drippings to the mushrooms. Add the garlic, remaining broth and lemon juice. Bring to a boil over medium heat.

8. In small bowl combine corn starch a few teaspoons of warm water. Stir into sauce and cook until sauce thickens into a gravy. Season well with salt and pepper.

9. Serve over chicken and garnish with remaining parsley.

I served my Schnitzel with sauteed beet greens and roasted red potatoes!